weill cornell medical college in qatarsfdc.stanford.edu/pdf/qatar_annualreport2007.pdf · weill...

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Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar was jointly established by

the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development

and Cornell University

Photography: Martin Marion, WCMC-Q; Weill Cornell Art & Photo; Qatar Foundation; Fouad Otaki ‘09; MSEC-Q

Contents

Leadership Report 1

Joint Advisory Board 5

Education 6

Patient Care 15

Research 19

Faculty 22

Students 24

Outreach 28

Statistics 30

Leadership 34

Chronology 36

Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar 1

The year saw important progress in all aspects of

our triple mission. Together with our partners

in Qatar – Hamad Medical Corporation

(HMC) and Qatar Foundation – WCMC-Q achieved

some notable milestones, during a period that was

extraordinary for Qatar as a whole with the landmark

event of the Asian Games.

It was a proud moment for WCMC-Q when the

sixteen members of the Inaugural Class stepped

into the clinical phase of the Medical Program in

HMC facilities in July. Following a major effort of

planning and preparation by the Medical College

and HMC, the clinical clerkships were off to a good

start and progressed well.

They represent a significant step forward

in the education of our medical students, and

therefore in the formation of the next generation of

physicians in Qatar and the region. In the context

of the Middle East, the Weill Cornell curriculum is

highly unusual for its early introduction to patient

care, and it is noteworthy that the class members

were the first Weill Cornell medical students to

rotate among HMC departments as part of their

education for the M.D. degree.

Meanwhile, WCMC-Q faculty and staff worked

closely with Weill Cornell Medical College in New

York City and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital to

plan the Year Four electives and sub-internships,

which began in June 2007. Not only did members

L e a d e r s h i p R e p o r tfor the Year July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007

Committed to excellence in education, research and patient care,

and to the advancement of the art and science of medicine.

of the Class of 2008 step out of the Medical College

building and into the hospital environment during

the year – they also flew to the U.S. to work in one of

the country’s top hospitals.

On the research front, there were notable

achievements. The research laboratories became

operational in summer 2006, as Weill Cornell and

HMC physician-scientists and WCMC-Q medical

students worked on a proof of concept project

between Doha and New York.

Dr. Daniel R. Alonso

2 Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar

In September, WCMC-Q presented a proposal

for a Biomedical Research Program to Qatar

Foundation – taking the Medical College a step

closer to establishing a program that will make a

positive contribution both to the health and quality

of life of the people of Qatar and to building the

country’s research capacity.

Further developments on the research front,

including the establishment of Qatar National

Research Fund’s Undergraduate Research

Experience Program (UREP), added to the

opportunities for research that WCMC-Q has

offered students since the first year of the Summer

Research Program. It is with pleasure that I note

growing enthusiasm among the student body,

guided by faculty mentors, for research: First-year

pre-medical students were among those to receive

UREP funding.

The partnership with HMC was further

strengthened as the first WCMC-Q clinical faculty

members were licensed by the National Health

Authority and credentialed to see patients in HMC

facilities during the year. Five faculty members

were actively involved in clinical practice by

June 30. At the same time, the number of HMC

physicians appointed to the faculty increased, with

a growth in the range of specialties represented.

Undoubtedly, WCMC-Q’s medical students and

faculty also benefited from milestone achievements

by HMC during the year, notably the accreditation

by the Joint Commission International of its five

The partnership with HMC is essential to the

success of the clinical clerkships. Here, Dr. Ziad

Kronfol and Dr. Tuna Burgut are seen with

members of the Class of 2008 at the start of the

Psychiatry Clerkship in the spring semester.

hospitals and the opening of a new, state-of-the-

art Education Center.

The year saw the unveiling of the architectural

plans, and the new name, for Qatar Foundation’s

Sidra Medical and Research Center. Among the most

exciting projects for the coming period in Qatar,

Sidra will be a landmark hospital and research

facility and a partner of WCMC-Q in medical

education, patient care and biomedical research.

Senior personnel of Weill Cornell Medical

College in both the U.S. and Qatar, and of NewYork-

Presbyterian Hospital, are supporting and advising

in the development of the clinical programs and the

internal configuration for Sidra, which is projected

to open in 2011. Together, WCMC-Q and Sidra will

be key elements of a world-class academic medical

center located on the Education City campus.

Among other important activities during the

year, faculty and staff of the Medical College worked

hard to reach the wider community in Qatar. We

were pleased to record a significant increase in

applications from Qatari students to WCMC-Q.

Added to this, results of the pilot Foundation

Program for students from local schools were

encouraging and showed that the effort to reach out

to this constituency was well focussed.

It gives me great pleasure to document the

outreach activities in a new section in this year’s

report, bringing together the various strands of

effort so enthusiastically pursued by our faculty,

students and staff.

Looking ahead to the coming year, I note with

great pleasure that WCMC-Q is now moving into

the final stage of implementation of the six-year

program of pre-medical and medical education.

There is much to anticipate in the coming period

– notably the graduation of the Inaugural Class in

spring 2008, as well as continuing progress in other

aspects of our mission.

Daniel R. Alonso, M.D.

Dean

Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar

Leadership Report 3

Qatar Foundation’s Sidra Medical and Research

Center, planned to open in 2011, will be a stunning

addition to the Education City campus.

Soaring into the soft evening light:

Subtle geometric patterns play off

the strong linear features of the

Medical College building.

Joint Advisory Board, 2006 – 2007

The Joint Advisory Board of WCMC-Q comprises

four members appointed by Cornell University, four

members appointed by Qatar Foundation and three

additional, external members jointly appointed by Cornell

and Qatar Foundation. Mr. Sanford I. Weill, Chairman of

the Board of Overseers of Weill Cornell Medical College,

the Dean and Vice Dean of WCMC-Q, and Dr. Abdulla A.

Al-Thani are non-voting ex officio members.

Qatar Foundation Representatives:

H.E. Hajar A. Hajar Al-Binali, M.D. Co-Chair (until March 2007) Minister & Advisor on Public Health Affairs to H.H. the Emir

H.E. Ghalia Bint Mohammed Al-Thani, M.D.Co-Chair (from March 2007) Chairperson Board of Directors, National Health Authority

Jassim Al Suwaidi, M.B. Ch.B. B.A.O., L.R.C.P. & S.I. (Honors)Consultant CardiologistHamad Medical Corporation

Sheikha Al-Misnad, Ph.D.President, Qatar University Board Member, Qatar Foundation for Education, Science & Community Development

Mohammad Fathy Saoud, Ph.D.Board Member and Higher Education Advisor Qatar Foundation for Education, Science & Community Development

Cornell University Representatives:

Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., M.D., D.Phil.Co-Chair Provost for Medical Affairs and Dean Weill Cornell Medical College

Mrs. Barbara B. FriedmanVice Chair, Board of Overseers Weill Cornell Medical College

James J. Mingle, Esq.University Counsel and Secretary of the Corporation Cornell University

Mr. Steven P. RosalieAssociate Provost for International Initiatives & Executive Vice Dean Weill Cornell Medical College

Independent Representatives:

John A. Cairns, M.D., F.R.C.P.C.Professor of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine University of British Columbia

Jordan J. Cohen, M.D.President Emeritus Association of American Medical Colleges

Sir Christopher Paine, D.M., F.R.C.P. Former President British Medical Association

Joint Advisory Board 5

Ex Officio Members:

Daniel R. Alonso, M.D.Dean Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar

Abdulla A. Al-Thani, Ph.D.Vice President - EducationQatar Foundation for Education, Science & Community Development

Members of the Joint Advisory Board: (left to right)

Ms. Havva S. Idriss, Dr. John A. Cairns, Dr. Abdulla A.

Al-Thani, Dr. Daniel R. Alonso, Mr. James J. Mingle,

Mr. Sanford I. Weill, Sir Christopher Paine,

H.E. Dr. Ghalia Bint Mohammed Al-Thani,

Dr. Mohammad Fathy Saoud, Dr. Antonio M. Gotto, Jr.,

Mr. Steven P. Rosalie, Dr. Jordan J. Cohen, Dr. Sheikha

Al-Misnad and Dr. Jassim Al Suwaidi.

Absent from the picture: Mrs. Barbara B. Friedman.

Ms. Havva S. IdrissVice Dean, Administration Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar

Mr. Sanford I. WeillChairman, Board of Overseers Weill Cornell Medical College

Medical Education

T he Medical Program moved into the clinical

phase on July 9, 2006 with the start of the Year

3 clinical clerkships. During the following 11

months, the Inaugural Class successfully completed

six out of nine required clerkships, in internal

medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics,

surgery (including anesthesia), neurology and

psychiatry.

Clerkship directors for internal medicine,

obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics had been

appointed during the previous year. They were

now joined by Dr. Bakr Nour, professor and Vice

Chairman of Surgery and Director of the Surgery

Clerkship; and Dr. Ziad Kronfol and Dr. Tuna Burgut,

assistant professors of psychiatry and Co-Directors

of the Psychiatry Clerkship.

In addition, Dr. Leopold Streletz, associate

professor of neurology and neuroscience since 200 5,

was appointed to the post of Neurology Clerkship

Director.

Oversight of the clinical clerkships was the

responsibility of Dr. Nounou Taleghani, Associate

Dean for Clinical Curriculum. Working closely

with the clerkship directors, and staff of HMC’s

Department of Medical Education led by Acting

Director Dr. Abdul Latif Al Khal, as well as with

heads of department and program directors at

HMC, Dr. Taleghani and her team succeeded in

E d u c a t i o n

The Inaugural Class began the third year clinical clerkships in Hamad Medical

Corporation facilities in July 2006. This new, clinical phase of the Medical Program

moved into its final stage in June 2007, as class members flew to the U.S. to start

electives and sub-internships in NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell

Medical Center. During the spring semester, WCMC-Q piloted a Foundation

Program for potential pre-medical students to help them benefit from intensive

English-language and science teaching before joining the Pre-medical Program.

laying the groundwork for the clinical education of

WCMC-Q’s medical students.

In contrast to their experience during the basic

sciences phase of the Medical Program, members

of the Class of 2008 spent most of their time outside

the Medical College during the year under review.

Assigned to teams of physicians in HMC hospitals and

clinics, they moved between a number of sites in Doha

and the northern town of Al Khor. These included

Hamad General Hospital, the Women’s Hospital, the

Psychiatric Hospital, Al Sadd Pediatric Emergency

Center, two Primary Health Care Centers and Al Khor

Hospital. In addition, a number of sessions of the

Psychiatry Clerkship took place at Shafallah Center, a

facility for children with special needs.

As the clerkships progressed, the medical students

fitted in well. In contrast to the system in the U.S.,

where clerks are the junior members of a complex

hierarchy rising from intern through several levels

of resident up to attending physicians (consultants),

WCMC-Q’s clerks were generally paired with

consultant physicians at HMC. In the surgery

clerkship, their contact was always one-on-one with

the consultant.

The clerks benefited from working in very busy

health-care facilities, with consequent exposure

to a wide range of cases. They were able to have a

significant amount of contact with patients and to

follow them from admission to discharge, carrying a

degree of responsibility for their care. The experience


also familiarized the clerks further with teamwork in

the hospital and clinic environment, building on the

early experience gained in the Medicine, Patients and

Society I and II courses.

In addition to work at the bedside, they attended

daily didactic sessions once their clerkship

responsibilities in the hospital or clinic were

completed.

The sessions replicated the learning experience of

medical students at Weill Cornell Medical College

in New York City. Some were led by WCMC-Q

clerkship directors; others were delivered by pre-

recorded lectures received from New York; yet

others took place by video conferencing between

Doha and New York – among them the weekly

Professor’s Rounds, case discussions by senior

clinical faculty of NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill

Cornell Medical Center.

The technological capability to support live

sessions between centers that are geographically far

apart was developed following intensive preparation

from 2005. Senior members of the Offices of Medical

Education and Information Technology at Weill

Cornell Medical College in New York City, and the

Departments of Medical Education, Information

Technology and Health Information Systems at HMC

were closely involved, with information technology

staff of WCMC-Q acting as the focal point.

Two rooms on the New York campus were

equipped with a range of functionalities (e.g.

electronic whiteboard and smartboard), supported

by the capability for digital transfer of the teaching

materials from New York to Doha. The availability of

video conferencing facilities for live teaching between

the sites enhanced the learning experience for faculty

and students in the clinical and, indeed, in the basic

science, components of the curriculum.

During the year, HMC upgraded its existing

audiovisual technologies for multi-site conferences.

The new Education Center, situated on the main HMC

site and commissioned in spring 2007, was equipped

with the A/V functionalities required to support the

clerkships. WCMC-Q staff assisted in ensuring that

During the year, members of the Class of 2008

completed six out of nine required clerkships in the

facilities of Hamad Medical Corporation.

An integral part of the clinical clerkships, daily educational sessions were held in HMC throughout the year. Here, professor of surgery

and Director of the Surgery Clerkship, Dr. Bakr Nour, leads a case discussion.

the systems were in place and fully tested in advance

of the Center’s opening.

In general, the difference in time between New

York and Doha worked to everyone’s advantage:

Early morning sessions on the U.S. side fitted well

with the afternoon didactic sessions in Qatar.

The Education Center is of significant benefit to

WCMC-Q’s clerks. A two-story, 3500 square meter

facility with state-of-the-art learning technologies,

as well as student lounges and office space, it has

the added benefit of being a focal point for HMC’s

health-care professionals.

With medical students now working off-site and

a growing number of WCMC-Q faculty at HMC,

provision of electronic information resources was

given more emphasis. The number of ebooks and

ejournals available in WCMC-Q’s Distributed

eLibrary (DeLib) increased to almost 10,000.

DeLib staff also worked closely with the HMC

Department of Medical Education in developing

and presenting workshops and seminars in

bibliographic instruction.

Meanwhile, the Office of Educational Development,

established in July 2006, began to review and revise the

assessment materials for the clerkships. Staff worked

with the clerkship directors to revise the form used to

evaluate student learning to incorporate direct meas-

urement of Accreditation Council on Graduate Medical

Education (ACGME) general competencies.

Preparations for the fourth year

As the year progressed, plans were put in place

for the fourth and final year of the program, with its

combination of required clerkships, electives, sub-

internship and advanced basic science course.

This is the stage when medical students begin the

process of moving on to residencies in their chosen

specialty. The choice of electives and sub-internship


should be made with careful regard to how they

would support a residency application.

The fourth year therefore allows for a degree of

flexibility in choice of clinical experience. Further,

WCMC-Q’s medical students may choose to divide

their time between the U.S. and Qatar, since they can

apply for electives in either country – including up

to three months of electives and sub-internships at

Weill Cornell-affiliated hospitals in the U.S.

Class members were counseled and supported

in planning their career choices, obtaining their

preferred electives, and preparing to travel and

work in a new environment by Dr. Taleghani;

medical faculty members; and staff of the Office of

Admissions and Student Affairs, led by associate

professor of obstetrics and gynecology, Dr. Maya

Hammoud, who took up the position of Associate

Dean in fall 2006.

Considerable assistance was given by Dr. Mark S.

Pecker, professor of clinical medicine, Vice Chairman

of Educational Affairs, and Director of the Residency

Program at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell

Medical Center. In addition, each student was

allocated a faculty advisor in their field of choice on

the U.S. side.

Almost all the class members traveled to New

York to begin an elective, or a sub-internship in

internal medicine, at the beginning of June 2007.

Early feedback showed that they adjusted well: The

advice and support provided by WCMC-Q faculty

proved to have been a sound preparation.

Basic sciences: live lectures piloted

While teaching in the basic science phase of the

Medical Program continued to run largely according

to the pattern set in previous years, one challenge in

fall 2006 was to accommodate the timetable around

the Asian Games in December.

Education 9

HMC’s new Education Center, commissioned in the spring, provides state-of-the-art facilities for the HMC community and WCMC-Q’s

doctors-in-training.


During the year, course directors were appointed

as follows: Dr. Ali Sultan, assistant professor of

microbiology and immunology – Host Defenses; Dr.

Lars Hedin, associate professor of physiology and

biophysics – Human Structure and Function.

Pre-medical EducationTeaching in the Pre-medical Program entered the

fifth year in August 2006. From the fall semester, a

personal response system (PRS) was introduced in

the lecture halls as a teaching and evaluation aide.

Widely used at Cornell University in Ithaca, the

PRS provides instant and individualized checks

on students’ grasp of concepts before and during

teaching, as well as feedback in quizzes.

Following a series of discussions between Dr.

David Robertshaw, Associate Dean, and Dr. Marco

Ameduri, Assistant Dean, for Pre-medical Education

and staff of the Office of Educational Development,

the forms used by students for evaluation of courses

and faculty in the Pre-medical Program were revised

in time for the start of teaching in fall 2007.

There was significant growth during the year

in outreach activities among science teachers in

local schools, organized by faculty members in

collaboration with colleagues at Qatar University

(see: Outreach, page 28).

Many aspects of life in Doha were affected

throughout the fall by the Games. For WCMC-Q, it

meant that teaching in the Pre-medical Program began

earlier than usual and teaching in the Medical Program

had to be worked in around the event. Staff in the Office

of Curriculum Support worked hard to ensure that the

unusual circumstances could be accommodated.

The year saw a departure from the established

mode of bringing to WCMC-Q the lectures given

by faculty on the New York campus. Previously,

they were recorded in the auditoria as they were

delivered to the medical students in New York

and videostreamed at a later date in WCMC-Q.

Question and answer sessions were scheduled

once a week by video conferencing, some time

after the lectures.

The availability of dedicated rooms at Weill Cornell

in New York City meant that more teaching by video

conferencing between the U.S. and Qatar sites was

now possible. In the spring semester, WCMC-Q

successfully piloted the delivery of a number of live

lectures in the first year Host Defenses course. There

are now plans to extend this mode of delivery to

selected lectures in all the basic science courses.

Teaching in the Pre-medical Program entered its

fifth year in fall 2006, and the entering class was

as internationally diverse and as talented as its

predecessors.

WCMC-Q faculty and students enjoy a world-class

learning environment. Here, professor of chemistry,

Dr. Terrance Murphy, is seen delivering a lecture to

first-year pre-meds.


Foundation Program successfully piloted

The spring semester saw the launch

of a pilot program for students of Qatar

Foundation’s Academic Bridge Program

who had expressed an interest in applying

to WCMC-Q.

Directed by senior lecturer in physics,

Dr. Imad Makki, the 16-week pilot program

comprised intensive teaching in the sciences

basic to medicine and English. Emphasis

was placed on enhancing students’ skills

of analysis and critical thinking, and their

knowledge of the vocabulary of science.

A majority of the participants who com-

pleted the program went on to successfully

enroll in the Pre-medical Program; mean-

while, plans were under development to

offer a one-year Foundation Program for

high school graduates from fall 2007 (see:

Students, page 25).

(Below) Participants in the pilot Foundation Program,

seen with Dean Alonso and Dr. Hammoud (center),

and Dr. Imad Makki, Director of the program (right),

after receiving certificates of completion.

(Above) Work in the laboratory is an integral part of

the learning experience of pre-medical students.

DeLib services enhanced

Working to support the operations of WCMC-Q

across the spectrum, staff of the DeLib, with the

support of colleagues in the Office of Information

Technology Services, implemented a number of

improvements in services for faculty and students.

The provision of a full video chat service to DeLib

users moved a step closer with installation of trial

video chat facilities at selected computer stations

in the WCMC-Q building. Adding to the existing

capability for rapid location and downloading of

information resources requested by email or voice,

the service will enhance users’ interaction with

DeLib staff.

Plans also proceeded to incorporate new software

(TDNet) for seamless searching of all electronic

books and journals held by the Medical College.

Streamlining of DeLib operations was supported

by the Office of Information Technology Services,

notably with the launch of the WCMC-Q Portal

in July. This was the first step in a major project to

deliver information to the WCMC-Q community

through a single gateway, with the capacity for

personalized presentation.

With the increase in the number of WCMC-Q

users at Hamad Medical Corporation, DeLib staff

worked with colleagues at Hamad Health Sciences

Library (HHSL) on the implementation of a new

integrated library system for HHSL. System training

and guidance were offered, as well as assistance

in the conversion of data to a format suitable for

transfer to the new system.

Education 13

Interaction with DeLib staff was enhanced during the

year by the successful trial of a full video chat service.


Visiting expert in cardiovascular medicine from

NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center,

Dr. Jeffrey Borer, delivered Grand Rounds at HMC

in January.

Patient Care 15

P a t i e n t C a re

The year saw the licensing and credentialing of the first faculty members to work

as clinicians at Hamad Medical Corporation, and an increase in the number of HMC

physicians appointed to the faculty of WCMC-Q. Qatar Foundation unveiled the

spectacular architectural plans and announced the new name for the Sidra Medical

and Research Center, to be built on the Education City campus.

The first senior appointment was made to the

Office of Clinical Affairs during the year, as

professor of medicine, Dr. Bruce Davidson,

returned to Doha to take up the post of Senior

Associate Dean. He had previously spent one month

at WCMC-Q in the summer of 2006, to assist in

setting up the Medicine Clerkship.

Growing cooperation with Hamad Medical Corporation

Ten faculty members were licensed by the

National Health Authority and credentialed to

work at Hamad Medical Corporation. They were:

Dr. Davidson; Dr. Bakr Nour, professor of surgery

and an expert in the field of transplant surgery;

Dr. Ahmad Teebi, professor of pediatrics and of

genetics; Dr. Leopold Streletz, associate professor of

neurology and neuroscience; Dr. Powers Peterson,

associate professor of pathology and laboratory

medicine; Dr. Nasir Hussain, associate professor of

internal medicine; Dr. Maya Hammoud, associate

professor of obstetrics and gynecology; Dr. Nady

Mohamed, assistant professor of obstetrics and

gynecology; Dr. Amal Khidir, assistant professor

of pediatrics; and Dr. Mai Mahmoud, instructor in

internal medicine.

By summer 2007, five of the faculty – Drs.

Davidson, Mohamed, Nour, Mahmoud and Streletz

– were regularly involved in clinical activities at the

Hamad General and/or Women’s Hospitals. These

activities included seeing patients in teaching clinics;

HMC physicians appointed to the faculty of WCMC-Q took

part in the clinical education of medical students throughout

the year, among them Dr. Dirk Deleu, Chief of HMC’s

neurology division, seen in discussion with Dr. Leopold

Streletz and third year students.


Dr. Thomas Sculco discussed a possible affiliation with

Qatar Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Hospital (ASPETAR)

while in Doha.

working in the medical intensive care unit; carrying

out procedures, including complex surgeries; and

participating in rounds.

A total of five HMC hospitals were granted accredi-

tation by the Joint Commission International (JCI). This

was a milestone for the Corporation, signifying that

Hamad General, the Women’s, Al Amal, Rumailah

and Al Khor Hospitals had met the exacting interna-

tional standards set by the JCI. The achievement was

the result of diligent effort by the leadership and staff of

HMC, and testament to their commitment to meeting

the highest standards of patient care.

During the year, the HMC Department of Medical

Education worked with WCMC-Q to encourage

physicians to apply for appointments as faculty of

the Medical College. The number of HMC physicians

holding WCMC-Q faculty appointments rose to 88,

at ranks from clinical instructor to clinical professor

(see also: Faculty, page 22).

A number of senior clinical faculty members

from NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical

Center visited Qatar and held meetings with

colleagues at HMC.

The visitors included Dr. M. Flint Beal, The

Anne Parrish Titzell Professor and Chairman of

the Department of Neurology and Neuroscience at

Weill Cornell and Director of the Neurology Service

at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. In meetings with

clinicians at HMC, he explored ways to strengthen

neurology care for patients in Qatar and a possible

future residency training program in the specialty.

Dr. Jeffrey Borer, The Gladys and Roland Harriman

Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, and professor

of radiology and of cardiothoracic surgery, and Chair

of the Division of Cardiovascular Pathophysiology

and The Howard Gilman Institute for Valvular Heart

Diseases, came to Doha in January.

Visiting Doha, in April, was Dr. Thomas Sculco,

professor of orthopedic surgery, Chairman of

the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Weill

Cornell Medical College, and Surgeon-in-Chief

at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York.

Dr. M. Flint Beal gave a research seminar during his visit

to WCMC-Q.

Patient Care 17

Dr. Sculco took part in rounds and discussed a

possible international elective in HMC’s orthopedic

department for students at the Medical College in

New York City.

While in Doha, Dr. Sculco visited Qatar Ortho-

pedic and Sports Medicine Hospital (ASPETAR),

part of an elite athlete training facility located in

Doha Sports City, which hosted the Asian Games.

Among the topics discussed was a possible affiliation

between ASPETAR and the Hospital for Special Sur-

gery, which has a sports medicine department.

Sidra Medical and Research Center announced

In March, Qatar Foundation unveiled the

architectural plans for the teaching and research

hospital to be built on a site in Education City to

the north of WCMC-Q. It was announced that the

facility would be named the Sidra Medical and

Research Center.

The remarkable structure is designed by renowned

architect Cesar Pelli of Pelli Clarke Pelli; the executive

architectural firm is Ellerbe Becket. Sidra will be con-

structed of steel, glass and concrete; the design (below)

complements state-of-the-art technology with a heal-

ing environment, notably by the creation of gardens

in three towers, visible from every in-patient room.

Biomedical and clinical research will be carried out

in an outpatient building to the west of the hospital,

with an adjoining second outpatient building planned

for construction at a later date.

Meanwhile, planning of the hospital’s internal con-

figuration moved ahead. Appointed by Dean Alonso

to act as a liaison in advising the Sidra Executive Project

Director and his team, Dr. Davidson gathered input

from departmental Chairs at Weill Cornell Medical

College and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.

Together with experts from Hamad Medical

Corporation, they contributed to discussion of the

facility’s clinical functioning in key areas, including

women’s health, pediatrics, medicine, surgery, and

supporting services such as radiology, laboratories

and the emergency department.

Once Sidra Medical and Research Center opens,

it will form, together with WCMC-Q, an academic

medical and research center of the highest qual-

ity based on the successful academic medical center

model. Joining forces with Hamad Medical Corpora-

tion, Sidra and WCMC-Q will unite in a collaborative

effort entitled “one program in multiple institutions.”

Summer research fellowships are an opportunity for selected

medical students to work at the bench alongside the

university’s top researchers. Dr. David C. Lyden, associate

professor of pediatrics, and of cell and developmental biology

at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, supervised a

student from WCMC-Q in summer 2006.

Research 19

R e s e a rc h

WCMC-Q presented a five-year research proposal to Qatar Foundation in September

2006. It is designed to benefit the health and quality of life of people in Qatar and

to build the country’s pool of trained biomedical research and support personnel.

Meanwhile, two proof of concept studies between Weill Cornell in the U.S. and

Qatar, and HMC, made excellent progress and opportunities for WCMC-Q’s students

to gain research experience expanded significantly.

W ith the triple mission of education,

patient care and research, WCMC-Q

is planning a far-reaching program of

biomedical research.

Following roundtable discussions early in 2006

among leaders of Weill Cornell Medical College,

Qatar Foundation, the National Health Authority

and Hamad Medical Corporation, WCMC-Q

undertook further preparation and refinement of a

strategic plan, first drawn up in 2005, for a program

of biomedical research.

As a result, the comprehensive five-year research

proposal – “Building a world-class biomedical

research program in Qatar” – was presented to Qatar

Foundation in September 2006.

Ahead of its acceptance, efforts were underway

to build the team of research faculty and support

staff at the Medical College. In April 2007, Dr. Javaid

Sheikh, professor of psychiatry and behavioral

sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine,

moved to WCMC-Q to accept an appointment as

Vice Dean for Research.

The planned program has

two major objectives. It will

a d d r e s s

significant

health problems in Qatar, with the aim of improving

the health and quality of life of the people; and

help build the country’s future biomedical research

capacity, contributing to the process of equipping

young people in the country with the education and

skills vital to Qatar’s transformation into a knowledge-

based economy.

These goals will be achieved by establishing strong

research programs, and recruiting and training the

personnel to run them.

In terms of human resources, this will mean building

capacity across the board, from a core of top biomedical

scientists to a pool of trained

technicians and other

support staff. As

part of


this effort, it is envisaged that the WCMC-Q research

program will assist in training personnel already

working in Qatar, e.g. clinicians at HMC, in clinical and

translational research techniques.

As it swings into action, the research program

will initiate a transfer of technology and knowledge

from Weill Cornell Medical College in New York

City to Doha. In the future, WCMC-Q shall have

independently functioning research laboratories, an

essential element in establishing a program that is

sustainable in the long term.

Two broad research themes are proposed, in

genetic and molecular medicine, and in women’s and

children’s health.

Spanning these themes, five research modules will

initially be established to investigate: genetic medicine,

with a focus on lung and breast cancer; stem cell research,

with the aim of establishing independent stem cell

research laboratories in Doha; the pharmacogenetics of

Hepatitis C virus, with the goal of discovering therapies

that are better targeted, and have fewer adverse effects,

than current treatments; neurogenetic disorders,

that may lead to improved prenatal diagnosis and

preventive strategies; and virus like particle vaccine

development, focussing on the rapid development of

vaccines against a variety of pathogens.

Proof of concept projects progress well

During the year, work continued on two proof of

concept projects. WCMC-Q’s research laboratories were

used for the first time in the summer of 2006, as part of

an investigation of variations in gene expression levels

in the airway epithelium of smokers and non-smokers,

led by Dr. Ronald Crystal, professor and Chairman

of the Department of Genetic Medicine at Weill

Cornell Medical College in New York City. Dr. Lotfi

Chouchane, WCMC-Q’s professor of genetic medicine,

and students Sara Hassan and Aalia Al Barwani (Class

of 2009) worked with colleagues at HMC and Weill

Cornell to gather and analyze samples.

Meanwhile, Zeinab Ammous (Class of 2009)

carried out research in Dr. Crystal’s laboratory, as

a WCMC-Q summer research fellow. Ammous

presented findings of her investigation at a meeting

of the American Thoracic Society in May 2007.

Professor of genetic medicine, and of microbiology and

immunology, Dr. Lotfi Chouchane, began work with medical

students on a proof of concept project in the labs of WCMC-Q

during the summer, in collaboration with colleagues at

Weill Cornell in New York and at HMC.

In addition, there was significant progress on

the study assessing best practices for clinical care

of diabetes and cardiovascular illnesses, with Dr.

Sheikh taking over as Principal Investigator from

Dr. Mark Callahan.

Student research expands

Now a well-established part of the WCMC-Q

program, the summer research fellowships continued

for the third year. Six students from the Class of

2009 were assigned to laboratories of faculty at

Weill Cornell, and six from the Class of 2010 worked

alongside investigators at Cornell University’s main

campus in Ithaca.

The students won plaudits from their mentors

in the U.S., and went on to present their research at

WCMC-Q’s third Annual Medical Student Research

Forum. Held on 6 November, the forum attracted a

large number of faculty, students, staff and guests.

Further opportunities for student research opened

up during the year, with the launch in October by

Qatar National Research Fund of the Undergraduate

Research Experience Program (UREP).

The program is designed to engage students in all

of Qatar’s universities in research projects of benefit

to the country, under the mentorship of faculty.

Encouragement is given to collaborative projects

among the institutions.

In the first cycle of funding, announced in March,

nine WCMC-Q faculty members and 24 pre-medical

and medical students received grants totaling

$240,000. The proposed investigations covered areas

as diverse as wind energy measurements, traditional

healing practices, the use of episiotomy during

childbirth, and an epidemiological study of marriage

practices. All were to be carried out in Qatar.

Student achievements

The poster presentation by Zeinab Ammous at the

American Thoracic Society’s International Confer-

ence, held in May, was the first such presentation by

a student from WCMC-Q at an international meeting

and a tremendous achievement for the second-year

medical student.

In addition, Subhi Al Aref (Class of 2008) won

a 2007 Tamayoz Trainee Award for Research from

Harvard Medical School’s Dubai Center. Al Aref was

recognized for his work on four research projects,

including a period as a summer research fellow in

the laboratory of Dr. Olaf Andersen, professor of

physiology and biophysics, and Director of the MD-

PhD program at Weill Cornell in New York City,

which led to publication of a paper in the Journal of

Molecular Pharmacology.

Medical students continued to excel in research during the

year, including Subhi Al Aref (right) who won a Tamayoz

Trainee Award for Research. Meanwhile, those presenting at

the Annual Medical Student Research Forum fielded questions

from faculty, including Dr. David Robertshaw (above).


F a c u l t y

Among highlights of the year, faculty based at WCMC-Q and at HMC took part in

training activities for clinical teaching organized by the newly established Office

of Educational Development. As the number engaged in teaching at WCMC-Q

increased, the Medical College inaugurated Annual Faculty Teaching Awards.

During the year 2006-07 the number of

faculty residing in Qatar throughout, or

during a significant part of, the academic

year reached 61.

Five pre-medical faculty members, including a

Director, were appointed to teach English, biology,

chemistry and physics in the pilot Foundation

Program.

Among the medical faculty, ten were licensed by

the NHA and credentialed by HMC to practice as

clinicians in HMC facilities. A rise was also recorded

in the number of HMC physicians appointed to the

faculty of the Medical College, to a total of 88 (see

Patient Care, page 16).

Faculty development program begins

The Office of Educational Development was

established in July 2006. Dr. Elizabeth Alger, associate

professor of medicine, was appointed Associate

Director for Faculty Development the following

month and Dr. Mary Anne Baker joined as Associate

Director for Assessment in February 2007.

In an initiative led by Dr. Alger, an inter-institutional

collaboration was established with the Stanford Faculty

Development Center at Stanford University in the U.S.

Co-Directors of the Center, Dr. Kelley Skeff and

Dr. Georgette Stratos, conducted the first-ever course

outside of Stanford to train facilitators to deliver

seminars in clinical teaching for medical faculty. Six

faculty members, three based at WCMC-Q and three

at HMC, completed the four-week training program in

the spring and subsequently gave the series of seven

seminars to nearly 40 residents from a number of

departments at HMC.

In addition, Drs. Skeff and Stratos, along with four

of their colleagues, offered two weekend-long clinical

teaching workshops to a total of 100 WCMC-Q faculty

members based at the Medical College and HMC.

Further activities by the Office included a series

of workshops for new and experienced problem-

based learning tutors, and the introduction of

Educators’ Portfolios, with guidance to faculty on the Participants from WCMC-Q and HMC who took part in

the facilitator training course, seen with Dr. Georgette

Stratos and Dr. Kelley Skeff (center).

Faculty 23

documentation of their scholarly contributions in the

field of pre-medical and medical education.

Faculty Retreat

The second Annual WCMC-Q Faculty Retreat

took place, May 19-20. There were reports on cur-

riculum implementation, and discussions on future

developments in the pre-medical phase of teaching,

including introduction of the Foundation Program.

For the Medical Program, the focus was on main-

taining the quality of education comparable to Weill

Cornell Medical College. Faculty also engaged in a

discussion of their personal career goals and ways

to achieve them.

First Annual Faculty Teaching Awards Ceremony

Following the well-established tradition of

Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City,

WCMC-Q held the first Annual Faculty Teaching

Awards Ceremony in May.

Members of each class, from foundation to third

year medical students, were invited to vote for the

faculty member whom they wished to recognize for

teaching them in 2006-2007.

Medical students also chose two per year from

among the New York-based medical faculty who

had visited Doha to teach. Dean Alonso presented

the faculty with these “virtual awards” by video-

link during the ceremony in May; the actual

certificates were later presented by Dr. Taleghani at

the Teaching Awards Ceremony held in the Cornell

Club in New York City.

Faculty who won awards were, in the pilot

Foundation Program, Dr. Imad Makki, and in the

Pre-medical Program, Dr. Marco Ameduri and Dr.

Michael Smith.

The medical faculty who received awards were:

Dr. Bakr Nour, Dr. Lars Hedin and Dr. Tuna Burgut;

and, among visiting faculty, Dr. Mark Pochapin, Dr.

Dana Brooks, Dr. Thomas Maack, Dr. Estomih Mtui

and Dr. Lawrence Palmer.

At the Annual Faculty Teaching Awards Ceremony,

members of faculty were recognized for their

contribution during the year, including (at left)

Dr. Bakr Nour, seen with Dr. Nounou Taleghani and

Dean Alonso; and (above) faculty based in New York,

who heard about their awards via video link.


S t u d e n t s

As the number of students increased to 150 in fall 2006, the Office of

Admissions and Student Affairs intensified efforts to attract pupils in

local high schools to apply to the Medical College. Meanwhile, WCMC-Q’s

students were actively involved in clubs and in community service —

notably the 15th Asian Games, held in Doha in December.

Student enrollment gathers pace

The total number of students rose to 150 as of

September 1, 2006, an increase of 15 percent

over the previous year.

26 students enrolled in the Medical Program in

fall 2006, including one external candidate from the

University of Toronto, an enrollment increase of 44

percent. The gender balance in the Class of 2010 was

markedly different from that of the two preceding

medical classes, with males outnumbering females

by almost two to one. Academic performance prior to

entry was consistent with that of the upperclassmen.

The Office of Admissions recorded 238

applications for entry to the Pre-medical Program;

of the 60 applicants offered admission, 46 enrolled.

Gender balance remained stable with males again

making up 57 percent of the 2006 freshman class.

Compared with the freshman profile in 2005, average

SAT Math scores, a key academic quality indicator,

rose 17 points to 681; TOEFL scores rose a dramatic

28 points to 628; and high school GPA rose a full fifth

of a grade to 3.8. These overall academic indicators

compare well with those of a counterpart population

of Cornell freshmen in Ithaca.

During the year, the Committee on Admis-

sions offered membership to a small number of

WCMC-Q medical students as a way of broaden-

ing its perspective. Current students at the Medical

College also assisted in providing hospitality to

Pre-medical and Medical Program applicants on

interview days.Men outnumbered women by almost two to one in

the incoming medical Class of 2010, seen here with

Dean Alonso and Dr. Hammoud.

Students 25

Office of Admissions focuses on Qatar

In a new development, 11 students were enrolled

in a pilot Foundation Program during the spring

semester. Designed to prepare them for successful

entry to the intensive, two-year Pre-medical Pro-

gram, it was the first step in an important initiative

to encourage more students from local high schools

to apply to the Medical College (see also Education,

page 12).

Admissions staff, with assistance from pre-

medical faculty, placed an increasing emphasis on

local recruitment, visiting 28 local and expatriate

high schools in Qatar. Innovating in a market

where schools provide little professional college

counseling, staff conducted weekly “admissions

office hours” in two prominent Qatari schools. One

outcome of this strategy was a five-

fold increase in Qatari applicants for entry in 2007,

especially from these schools.

Redoubling the commitment to collaborative

strategic enrollment management with Education

City partners, WCMC-Q admissions staff teamed

with them in hosting groups of Qatari and inter-

national education counselors, Qatari diplomats,

high school students and prospective applicant

families on visits to the WCMC-Q campus. One

result of the collaborative effort was implementa-

tion of a Residual ACT

testing program that

has expanded access

to college entrance

e x a m i n a t i o n s

for the Qatari high

school population.

During the year, high

school students were

offered opportunities

to visit the campus

and discover more

about WCMC-Q.

At a ceremony in May

to mark successful

completion of the pilot

Foundation Program,

participants were

congratulated by

Dean Alonso and

Dr. Hammoud.


Other activities

At the regional level, admissions staff joined

colleagues from Education City institutions in

recruitment activities outside Qatar, visiting

high schools, attending college fairs and holding

prospective student receptions in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi,

Dubai, Oman, Sharjah, Al Ain, Jordan and Kuwait.

Staff members attended meetings of the Association

of American Medical Colleges in Seattle and the

National Association of Foreign Student Affairs –

Association of International Educators in Minneapolis.

Office of Student Affairs expands services

An expanding Office of Student Affairs provided

an increasing level of support to the students in a

number of areas.

Career advice was given to medical students,

particularly to members of the Class of 2008 as they

made their choice of electives and sub-internships

for Year 4. The Associate Dean, Dr. Hammoud,

and her staff provided guidance on the choices

that were appropriate for each student’s preferred

residency; gave advice on organization of supporting

documentation in the application process; and assisted

with arrangements for the students’ travel to the U.S.

The appointment of a Student Academic

Counselor represented a further important step in

developing support services. In line with practice in

the U.S., the counselor is available to assist students

with any academic or social concerns.

Student life thrives

As the student body grows, so the number and di-

versity of activities increase each year, and 2006-2007

was no exception. Student life at WCMC-Q con-

tinued to thrive during the year under review. The

Medical Student Executive Council-Qatar (MSEC-

Q) kept alive its excellent tradition of providing the

WCMC-Q and Education City students, faculty and

staff with numerous social, educational and charita-

ble activities. There were 11 recognized WCMC-Q

clubs focusing on several themes, from athletics to

music, charitable work to religion. Together, these

clubs along with MSEC-Q hosted 16 events serving

over 1500 people on the campus.

Among the activities in which WCMC-Q students

took part were:

Volunteering

i) Observerships: As in previous years,

pre-medical students explored the

reality of the medical profession through

their observerships at Hamad Medical

Corporation and “ride-alongs” with the

ambulance service.

Community service: WCMC-Q’s students took part in the NHA

campaign of immunization (above) and – along with staff –

volunteered to assist with the Asian Games (right).

ii) Blood donation clinic: A regular event in Education

City, the WCMC-Q Blood Donor Clinic was organized

by MSEC-Q.

iii) Vaccination campaign: Pre-medical and

medical students volunteered with the National

Health Authority to administer oral polio vaccine

to children.

iv) Friends of HOPE: Students hosted a fun day for

special children from the HOPE school.

v) Medical Camp: Medical students, aligned

with community volunteers, provided medical

screening to disadvantaged members of society.

Services included health and wellness check-ups,

and diabetes screening.

vi) Asian Games: A number of students volunteered

during the Games for activities that included

carrying the torch in the relay across Doha and

into Education City, participating in the opening

ceremony and observing performance enhancing

drug testing of athletes.

vii) Charity drive: Students fully supported local and

international charities by collecting much needed

clothing and items for those less fortunate.

viii) Peer tutoring: During the year, students also

volunteered their time to help one another. Peer

tutoring offered advice, support and friendship

during demanding courses, and helped to bring

together medical and pre-medical students.

Events

i) Coffee House V: An evening of music, poetry and

other entertainments, with a raffle organized by

MSEC-Q, raised QR 1750 for the Qatar National

Cancer Society.

ii) Annual Photography Contest: Education City

students, faculty and staff explored their creative side

during the annual photography contest, and the halls

of the Medical College were filled with scenes from

across the globe.

iii) Athletics: From basketball to football to ultimate

Frisbee and volleyball, students enjoyed the

competition and camaraderie found in team sports

and demonstrated their commitment to life-long

healthy attitudes and exercise.

iv) International Night: WCMC-Q attendees explored

how different cultures serve only to make us stronger

and better members of the global community.

v) Basant: In Pakistan and India, Basant is a spring

festival celebrated in part by wearing bright colors

and flying kites, and the community had a taste of

sweets from the subcontinent while colorful kites

filled the air in the WCMC-Q square.

Other activities included Wacky Week, when

students truly dressed for effect; the MSEC-Q

barbecue to celebrate the end of exams; a celebration

of Valentine’s Day, with flowers given out of respect

and friendship; and Education City Movie Nights,

when students from across the campus gathered for

fellowship, great food and open-air movies.

From sport to musical entertainment,

the students participated with

enthusiasm in campus life.

Students 27


O u t re a c h

Faculty and staff of WCMC-Q increased their outreach activities during the

year and cooperation with Qatar University moved ahead significantly.

The Medical College took part in a major health exhibition in Dubai and

commissioned a promotional film that went on to win gold in New York.

Hamad bin Khalifa lecture

The second Annual Hamad bin Khalifa Lecture

was delivered before a distinguished audience

at WCMC-Q, February 25, by Dr. Roberto

Romero, Chief of the Perinatology Research Branch

and Program Director of Obstetrics and Perinatology,

Division of Intramural Research, National Institutes of

Health in the U.S. Entitled The Child is Father of the Man,

the lecture looked at disease prevention in the perinatal

period using techniques of genetic screening.

Conference with HMC

Qatar’s first Genetic Medicine Symposium, held

in May, was jointly organized by WCMC-Q and

HMC. Entitled “Clinical Genetics in the Office of the

Physician,” it was well attended by international and

Doha-based experts and health-care professionals.

The Symposium was organized from the WCMC-Q

side by Dr. Ahmad Teebi, professor of pediatrics and

of genetics. There were presentations on a range of

topics, including metabolic diseases, dysmorphology

and the diagnostic services available at HMC.

Working with Qatar University and local schools

Cooperation with Qatar University (QU)

increased further during the year. Assistant

professor of chemistry, Dr. Michael Pungente, was

part of a focus group that worked on drafting the

curriculum for QU’s Pharmacy Program, to be

opened in fall 2007. Dr. Roger Hinrichs, professor

of physics, taught in the pre-pharmacy phase of the

program.

In addition, pre-medical faculty, led by Dr.

Hinrichs, organized workshops for local high

school teachers in collaboration with QU. Entitled

“New Frontiers in Learning and Teaching,” the

workshops were designed to explain the concept

of inquiry-based teaching and active learning. They

provided participants with information on content,

pedagogy and technology, with a subject focus on

electricity, optics and magnetism. Held at WCMC-Q,

QU and Omar bin Al Khattab School for Boys, each

workshop was offered twice, and approximately 50

teachers participated each time.

Dr. Roger Hinrichs (below at right, with Wilfred Riego, instructor in

physics at CNA-Q) actively promoted lab-based learning with QU.

In February, WCMC-Q’s promotional film Without Walls struck gold

at an international festival in New York.

The spotlight was once again on laboratory-based

learning at the second Annual Symposium on Science

Teaching and Learning held at QU in March.

Participants from WCMC-Q were Dr. Lars

Hedin, associate professor of physiology and

biophysics; Dr. Christopher Ogden, lecturer in

biology; Dr. Hinrichs; and Thomas Doyle, Director

of Environmental Health and Safety, who presented

his work in assisting with the design and delivery

of a course on laboratory management, safety and

quality control at QU earlier in 2006.

Among further steps to reach local schools

were the initiation of “admissions office hours” by

the Office of Admissions; and two Science Days

organized by admissions staff, and pre-medical

and medical faculty, for Omar bin Al Khattab Boys

School and Al Bayan School for Girls, among the

most important of WCMC-Q’s “feeder” schools.

In June, Al Bayan School invited Dean Alonso,

Dr. Hammoud, senior faculty of the Medical

College and the Office of Admissions staff to attend

a recognition ceremony for students of the school

who would be pursuing a career in medicine.

10 of the students who took part subsequently

enrolled in WCMC-Q’s Foundation Program. A

formal presentation was made to the Dean to thank

WCMC-Q for its support.

Communications activities

For the first time, WCMC-Q took part in the

Arab Health exhibition held in Dubai in January.

The second-largest annual health-care event in

the world, it attracted more than 200 health-care

companies from 70 countries. Sharing a stand with

HMC, and with senior staff from the Office of Public

Affairs on hand to respond to inquiries, the Medical

College drew interest from a considerable number

of visitors.

In February, a short film commissioned by

WCMC-Q won gold at the 2007 New York Festival’s

International Film and Video Awards. Without Walls,

an eight-minute promotional film produced by The

Edge Picture Company, from the U.K., won the

award in the Sales-Educational Institute category.

Dr. Hammoud, admissions staff and students joined together to take the message about WCMC-Q into local schools.

Outreach 29

S t a t i s t i c s

Faculty and Staff Numbers, 2001-2007 Figures for faculty include all those

on the WCMC-Q payroll residing in Doha for all, or a significant part, of the academic

year. Figures for staff are as of June 30, 2007 and include those residing in New York.

Total Number of Students, 2002-2006 Figures are as of September 1. Student

count reflects any attrition that may have occurred from incoming classes in subsequent years.


0

30

60

90

120

150

25

52

90

150

130

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

0

30

60

90

120

150

33

1717

5454

111122

131322

9696

02

1220

6151

2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2005/06 2006/072004/05

Entering profile: SAT 1 Math score

Profile of classes entering the Pre-medical Program, 2002-2006

Total enrollment and applicants

Statistics 31

0

100

150

200

250

50

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Enrollment Applicants

25

99

31

134

48

204

57

200

238238

Gender profile

Male Female

0

10

15

20

25

30

5

2002

8

17

2003

10

21

2004

2325

27

30

2005 2006

26

20

0

100

2002

615

2003 2004 2005 2006

641 646

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

681664

46


Profile of entering medical students, September 2006

Enrolled students ...........................................................................................26

Male ..............................................................................................................17

Female .............................................................................................................9

Previous education: WCMC-Q .............................................................25

University of Toronto ...............................................1

Average Science GPA.................................................................................3.5

Average age (Sept 1st, 2006) ....................................................................20.4

Profile of classes entering the Medical Program, 2004-2006

Total enrollment and applicants

Enrollment Applicants

0

50

75

100

125

25

2004

16

Gender profile

Male Female

2005 2006

26

86

0

10

15

20

25

5

2004

6

10

2005

5

13

2006

17

72

47

18

9

Citizenship & Scholarships 33

Scholarships

WCMC-Q selects students on merit, without knowledge of their ability

to pay fees (‘need-blind admissions’). Qatar Foundation has developed a

financial assistance program, adapting procedures used at Weill Cornell

Medical College in New York, and many of WCMC-Q’s students are

eligible to receive financial aid through this program.

A number of scholarships are also available to WCMC-Q’s students:

Currently, three Al Darwish Scholarships are held by:

Ali Saad (Class of 2009);

Karima Becetti (Class of 2011);

Salman Al Jerdi (Class of 2012); Mohamed Al Kazaz (Class of 2012: for the

academic year 2007-2008).

Other scholarships are:

The Abdul Ghani Hammour Scholarships, held by Tania Jaber (Class of

2011) and Hekmat Al Rouh (Class of 2010).

The Moufid Farra Scholarship, held by Juman Takeddin (Class of 2010).

The HSBC Qatar Scholarship, held by Nigel Pereira (Class of 2010).

Qatar

Algeria

Bahrain

Bangladesh

Bosnia

Canada

Egypt

France

India

Iran

Iraq

Jordan

Kenya

Lebanon

Mauritania

Mauritius

Nigeria

Oman

Pakistan

Republic of Korea

Russia

Sudan

Syria

Tanzania

Tunisia

UAE

USA

Citizenship of Student Body

L e a d e r s h i p

Cornell UniversityPeter C. Meinig, Chairman, Board of Trustees

David J. Skorton, M.D., President

Weill Medical College of Cornell UniversitySanford I. Weill, Chairman, Board of Overseers

Hushang Ansary, Vice Chair

Barbara B. Friedman, Vice Chair

Arthur J. Mahon, Vice Chair

Antonio M. Gotto, Jr., M.D., D.Phil., Provost for Medical Affairs and the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of the Medical College

Weill Cornell Medical College in QatarDaniel R. Alonso, M.D., Dean

Havva S. Idriss, Vice Dean, Administration

Javaid I. Sheikh, M.D., M.B.A., Vice Dean, Research

Bruce L. Davidson, M.D., M.P.H., Senior Associate Dean, Clinical Affairs

Gary B. Schneider, Ph.D., Senior Associate Dean, Research

Maya Hammoud, M.D., Associate Dean, Admissions & Student Affairs

David Robertshaw, Ph.D., Associate Dean, Pre-medical Education

Nounou Taleghani, M.D., Ph.D., Associate Dean, Clinical Curriculum

Marco Ameduri, Ph.D., Assistant Dean, Pre-medical Education

Susan E. Lacey, Assistant Dean, Administration

Laurie K. Summers, Assistant Dean, Academic Planning & Development

Lee Askin, Director, Admissions

Jack Butler, Director, Facilities Management (from January 2007)

Thomas Doyle, Director, Environmental Health & Safety

Siraj Halil, Director, Information Technology and Telecommunications (from January 2007)

Robert Howat, Director, Facilities Management (to December 2006)

Sharon Hynes, Director, Human Resources

Shahzad Jafri, Chief Information Officer (from May 2007)

Jeremy Merrill, Director, WCMC-Q New York Office

Betty Monfort, Registrar

Bruce Montgomery, Director, Finance

Charles Paragg, Director, Student Affairs

Michael Vertigans, Director, Public Affairs

Thomas Williams, Director, Distributed eLibrary


WCMC-Q Chronology: Milestones from 2006-2007


1. July 2006 Clinical clerkships begin in Hamad Hospital.

يوليو �006: بداية التدريبات اإلكلينيكية يف مؤسسة محد الطبية.

10. June 2007 Visit by President of Cornell University, Dr. David J. Skorton.

يونيو �007: زيارة الدكتور ديڤيد سكورتن، رئيس جامعة كورنيل.

9. May 2007 First Annual Faculty Teaching Awards Ceremony.

مايو �007: االحتفال السنوي األول لتكرمي أعضاء هيئة التدريس.

8. May 2007 End of course celebration, pilot Foundation Program.

مايو �007: احتفال بنهاية الربنامج التأسيسي التجرييب.

2. Summer 2006 Research labs in action for the first time.

صيف �006: تشغيل خمتربات األحباث ألول مرة.

Ann_Rep_2007_ar_press.indd 37 3/6/08 11:55:30 AM

WCMC-Q Chronology: Milestones from 2006-2007 التسلسل التارخيي للمحطات الرئيسية: �006 - �007

�6 كلية طب وايل كورنيل يف قطر

7. March 2007 Memorandum of Understanding with Qatar National Research Fund: Undergraduate Research Experience Program.مارس �007: مذكرة تفاهم مع الصندوق القطري لرعاية

البحث العلمي: برنامج خربة األحباث للطلبة اجلامعيني.

6. March 2007 Design of Qatar Foundation’s Sidra Medical and Research Center unveiled.

مارس �007: اإلعالن عن تصميم مركز السدرة للطب والبحوث التابع ملؤسسة قطر.

5. December 2006 WCMC-Q students volunteer with 15th Asian Games in Doha.

ديسمرب �006: طلبة الكلية الطبية يتطوعون يف دورة األلعاب اآلسيوية اخلامسة عشر يف الدوحة.

4. September 5, 2006 White Coat Ceremony for Class of 2010.� سبتمرب �006: احتفال املعطف األبيض لطلبة

دفعة خترج �0�0.

3. August 2006 Fifth class of pre-medical students enters WCMC-Q.

أغسطس �006: الدفعة اخلامسة من طلبة برنامج ما قبل الطب تنضم إىل كلية طب وايل كورنيل يف

قطر.

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